Wall-mounted expandable toilet tissue roll storage means

ABSTRACT

A toilet tissue roll holder is provided having a telescoping structure that is attachable to a wall surface for providing replacement toilet tissue to a dispenser and shrouding unused rolls prior to deployment. The device includes a lowermost housing having a base surface, rounded sidewalls, an interior volume, and an open front. The lowermost housing connects to a first upstanding sidewall thereabove, which in turn supports a plurality of telescoping sidewalls that form individual toilet tissue roll containers extending upward. A viewing window is provided through at least one of the device sidewalls above the lowermost housing to allow an administrator to visualize whether a minimum number of reserve toilet paper rolls are still available. The structure is expanded and contracted depending on the number of rolls therein, while the lowermost housing and first upstanding sidewall provide the base structure that is secured to a support wall.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/620,050 filed on Apr. 4, 2012, entitled “Extendable Bath TissueHolder.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporatedby reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to article holders and supports. Morespecifically, the present invention pertains to a toilet paper rollstorage compartment that includes a telescoping structure and one thatallows for ready replenishment of a consumed roll for the user.

Toilet tissue paper is a consumable product that is dispensed on aregular basis for sanitary purposes. Toilet tissue is dispensed in rollform, wherein the roll is eventually exhausted and in need of areplacement roll. The act of replacing exhausted rolls with freshquantities is a common chore in both the commercial and residentialsettings, and involves locating a replacement toilet tissue roll,removing and discarding the exhausted roll, and placing the replacementroll onto the dispenser. It is common for this activity to happen oftenin frequently used rest areas and in homes with larger families, as aquantity of the consumable product is used by each successive person forpersonal hygiene. The ability to locate replacement rolls is imperativeduring this process to prevent the unwanted situation of being left withno available replacement. The inability to find a replacement roll canbe inconvenient and embarrassing to the user.

Toilet paper rolls are generally stored within a cabinet or storage binfor ready access and deployment. In the home, the rolls are usuallystored within their packaging and in some proximity to the toilet toenable replenishment of an extinguished roll when required. In acommercial setting, it is common for the toilet paper rolls to bedeployed in larger quantities and for the purveyors of the business tohave the restroom serviced with replacement quantities of toilet paperon a regular basis. However, quite often one can find themselves withouta ready replacement and few alternatives. Without a ready quantity ofreplacements stored in proximity to the toilet, one can be strandedwithout access to replacement rolls.

For those restrooms that accommodate this scenario and includequantities of replacement toilet rolls in proximity to the toilet, it isimperative to provide also a barrier or shroud around the rolls toprevent contamination or moisture contact with the unused rolls. Ashroud prevents the unused rolls from becoming damaged or unfit for useprior to their deployment, while a shroud also eliminate the unsightlyand obvious placement of excess toilet tissue loosely placed within thetoilet area. To both improve aesthetics and to prevent wasted toilettissue paper, a device is required that offers toilet roll storage inproximity to the toilet area, while also offering a clean and controlledmeans of supporting replacement tissue paper prior to their deploymenton the tissue paper dispenser.

The present invention provides a tissue paper roll storage means thatoffers an expanding structure having suitable storage area and a designthat suitable for use in both residential and commercial settings. Thedevice comprises a wall-mounted, telescoping structure having aninternal volume for supporting stacked replacement toilet tissue rolls.The structure provides a subtle yet very useful means of storingreplacement tissue rolls, where the device is preferably deployed inproximity of a toilet such that a replacement roll can be accessed andreplaced on the dispenser as necessary by a user. The design shrouds thereplacement rolls from moisture, while reducing the need for regularservicing of the bathroom in terms of tissue paper quantities.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to toilet paperroll holders and dispensers. These include devices that have beenpatented and published in patent application publications, and generallyrelate to combination dispensers and storage means, or those that havediverging intent or structures as related to the present invention. Thefollowing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the presentdisclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlightingand differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, andfurther highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 7,588,209 to Demers discloses a toilettissue holder dispenser that supporting a plurality of toilet rollswithin and upstanding structure and allowing communicating of subsequentrolls from stowed position to a ready position by translating their rollsupports along a guide rail or slot in the structure. The guide railsecures the toilet paper roll supports therealong, whereby a pluralityof rolls having roll supports are stacked, and an uppermost roll is slidalong the guide rail into a working position, and thereafter slid alongthe guide rail to a second rail branch to stow the used toilet paperroll prior to replacement with a fresh roll. The Demers device describesa unique and useful toilet paper roll support, but provides a moreelaborate structure and one that is suited to both store toilet paperrolls and deploy them for use. The present invention contemplates onlystorage of toilet paper for extraction for later use.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0180698 to Hensleydiscloses a toilet paper storage member comprising a sleeve portion forsupporting a plurality of stowed toilet paper rolls, while an upperassembly supports a toilet paper roll for dispensing purposes. The upperassembly attaches to an insert that feeds into the sleeve portion andallows withdraw of the stowed toilet paper rolls for replacement of theused roll along the upper assembly. While disclosing a combinationdispensing and storing device, the Hensley device fails to disclose thenovel aspects of the present invention, notably its telescopingstructure for storing spare toilet paper rolls prior to deployment.

Similar to the Hensley device, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2011/0215187 to Owurowa discloses a toilet paper holder and dispenser,comprising a tower-like holder that stores a plurality of toilet paperrolls in a stacked configuration below a toilet paper roll head piecethereabove. The head piece comprises a dispenser that supports thetoilet paper roll for allowing a user to withdraw toilet paper sheetsfrom the supported roll, whereafter the stowed rolls can be moved into aworking position when the head piece roll is exhausted. The head pieceincludes a flexible outer supports for the dispensed toilet paper rollrather than a through-rod. While disclosing a toilet paper storagedevice, the Owurowa device fails to disclose the structure of thepresent invention, which is directed to a telescoping structure apartfrom a bathroom toilet paper dispenser.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0126942 to McAndrewdiscloses a toilet paper storing sleeve having an elongated and tubularconstruction, a removable lid, and an internal pocket to store scentedmaterial for covering odor. Similar to the aforementioned prior artdevices, the McAndrew device fails to disclose the structural featuresof the present invention that allow it to store a quantity of toiletpaper rolls for later deployment on a dispenser. The present inventionprovides a collapsible structure that expands to accommodate differentquantities of toilet rolls, wherein an administrator can visually seethe number of remaining rolls within the device.

The present invention provides a clean and readily deployable structurefor storing unused and replacement toilet tissue rolls for an attendantor user to deploy onto a toilet paper dispenser within a restroom. Thedevice is expandable to store several rolls, while its structure issuitable for both commercial and residential use, avoiding the problemsassociated with dispensing the last tissue paper square without a readyreplacement on hand. It is submitted that the present invention issubstantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, andconsequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for animprovement to existing toilet tissue roll storage devices. In thisregard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types oftoilet tissue roll storage devices now present in the prior art, thepresent invention provides a new storage device that includes atelescoping structure, wherein the same can be utilized for providingconvenience for the user when storing replacement toilet tissue rolls inproximity to a dispenser for replenishing a quantity of used tissuepaper when required.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved toilet tissue roll storage device that has all of theadvantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet tissueroll storage device that is suited for residential and commercial use,and one that provides storage for a plurality of replacement rolls inproximity to a dispenser.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet tissueroll storage device that can store several tissue paper rolls within itsinterior, whereby an administrator can visualize the number ofreplacement rolls still available between replenishing the rollstherein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toilettissue roll storage device that shrouds the stored rolls from theenvironment, protecting the replacement rolls prior to deployment.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a toilet tissueroll storage device that includes a telescoping structure and a meansfor attaching to a wall surface.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention in a workingstate, supported by a restroom wall and storing several replacementtissue paper rolls therein.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section view of the present invention in a deployedstate.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the locking mechanism betweentelescoping members that prevents the same from collapsing intounderlying members.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the preferred embodiment of the present inventionin its most collapsed state.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention, whereby the lowermost housing includes a door member forsealing the interior of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the toilet tissue roll storage device. For the purposes ofpresenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, thepreferred embodiment will be discussed as used for storing replacementquantities of toilet tissue paper within a restroom environment. Thefigures are intended for representative purposes only and should not beconsidered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the toilettissue roll storage device of the present invention in a working state,supporting a plurality of replacement toilet tissue rolls 30 within itsexpanding interior for deployment by a user onto a dispenser. The deviceis a wall 40 mounted assembly having a telescoping and expandingstructure, whereby the interior volume of the device provides sufficientvolume within which to stack a plurality of vertically aligned tissuepaper rolls 30, whereby the lowermost roll 30 is accessible by the userand thereafter the vertical stack of rolls 30 shortens. The top surface16 of the device extends upward above the uppermost roll in the stack,thereafter falling to a different level as subsequent rolls are removedfrom the lowermost portion of the device. In this way, the presentinvention provides storage for a stack of replacement toilet tissuerolls that are shrouded from view and accessible one-by-one fordeployment.

The assembly comprises a lowermost housing 11 having a roundedstructure, upstanding sidewalls 10, a base surface 12, an open front,and an uppermost region for securing the device to an adjoining wall 40by way of a wall attachment means. The wall attachment means preferablycomprises an elongated clamping member 21 surrounding the lowermosthousing 11 along its upper portion. The base 12 and sidewalls 10 form apartially open enclosure having an internal volume suitable forplacement of a tissue paper roll 30 therein. A portion of the sidewalls10 is left open 13 for the user to have ready access to the housinginterior for grasping and retrieving a replacement roll 30 from therein.This opening 13 is adapted to be placed facing outward from the supportwall 40, while the connection 20 between the clamping member 21 isfacing the wall 40 and is secured thereto.

Along the upper portion of the lowermost housing 11 is a perimeterclamping member 21 that secures between two upstanding ridges 14 thatform a circumferential channel 29 about the housing 11 upper. Theclamping member preferably comprises an elongated band that secureswithin the channel and is fastened to the wall 40 by way of a fastenerconnection through the clamping member wall tabs 20, whereby the tabsare a flange or similar structural member extends from the clampingmember 21 to lie flush with the wall 40. A hose clamp or similarstructure may be suitable for supporting the assembly in this position,whereby the assembly and its contents are supported at this singularlocation to allow for the telescoping members 15, 18 above the lowermosthousing to be free to collapse toward the lowermost housing 11 or remainin an extended position by way of an internal locking means thatmaintains the extended position of each telescoping member relative tothe member below.

Above the lowermost housing 11 is a first telescoping member 18, whichincludes an upstanding and rounded sidewall that is adapted to acceptthe sidewalls of those telescoping members 15 thereabove into theinterior of this first member 18. Each of the telescoping members 15, 18includes a transparent viewing window 17, which is aligned with thelowermost housing opening 13 to allow a user or administrator to viewthrough the assembly sidewalls to see how many replacement rolls arestored within the assembly. This provides notice to maintenancepersonnel as to whether replacement rolls need to be added within theassembly, or if the assembly is completed full thereof. Each of thetelescoping members 15, 18 accepts a toilet tissue roll thereinto,whereby the member is lifted upwards from within its next closest memberin a telescoping manner. Alternatively, the telescoping members can bewithdrawn from one another in an extended position and locked into placeby a user. Therefore, the overall height of the assembly is dictated byeither the number of stored toilet tissue rolls within the assembly orthe overall number of telescoping members 15 locked into an extendedposition. From the exterior, one can see the number of stored rolls bypeering through the viewing window of each extended member. When theassembly is condensed, only the lowermost housing 11 and the firsttelescoping member 18 are visualized. Therefore, the viewing windowsalign to show an administrator if there are a minimum of two rollstherein within looking into the opening 13 of the lowermost housing 11.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross section view of thepresent invention, wherein a cut plane is provided through the lowermosthousing 11, the first telescoping member 18, and one additionaltelescoping member 15 thereabove. The lowermost housing 11 comprises afrontal opening 13 for access to the housing 11 interior volume, alongwith a base surface 12 that provides support for the vertically stackedtoilet tissue rolls within the interior of the lowermost housing 11 andtelescoping members 18, 15 thereabove. Along the upper portion 32 of thehousing 11 is a channel 29 supporting a clamping member 21 between twoupstanding ridges 14. The channel 29 extends coextensively about theperimeter of the rounded housing exterior, and can terminate along aportion along the backside of the housing (opposite of the opening 13,as shown), or the channel 29 can span the circumference of the housing.This arrangement is but one contemplated embodiment of the connectionbetween the lowermost housing and an adjacent wall. Alternateembodiments contemplate flanges extending from the backside of thelowermost housing for connection to a wall surface, or even a flat rearsurface of the housing 11 opposite of its opening 13, whereby fastenerscan be driven therethrough. These are but alternatives to the preferredconfiguration, which is that disclosed in FIG. 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the lowermost housing 11 is secured to thefirst telescoping member 18, whereby this structure forms the basisarrangement of the device that does not collapse any further. Subsequenttelescoping members 15 above the first member 18 collapse into andexpand from the first member 18 to account for the stack of toilettissue rolls therein. Each of the telescoping members 15 include a sidewall and a lower ledge 31 that catches an inward ledge 32 along theupper portion of another telescoping member. In this way, one member 15can be drawn from another member to a given telescoping distance, up tothe point where the ledges 31, 32 contact each other. In this way, thetelescoping members do not separate from one another when expandedupwards.

The interior volume of the uppermost telescoping member must besufficient to store a replacement toilet tissue roll therein withadequate interior clearance. The lower telescoping members include aninterior volume that is suited for accepting a toilet tissue rolltherein, along with the sidewalls of an above telescoping member that iscollapsed thereinto. In this way, the rolls can be stored within theinterior of the assembly in a stacked configuration with adequateclearance, and the telescoping members can be collapsed from one anotheras required without interferences or blockages. When collapsed orexpanded, the viewing window 17 along the forward portion of theassembly and above the lowermost opening 13 provides a means to view thereplacement tissue paper within the interior of the assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown the telescoping memberlocking means. Along the inner wall of the first telescoping member 18and subsequent telescoping members 15 thereabove, an elongated, L-shapedchannel 80 is disposed for providing a means of locking each member intoan extended position relative to a member therebelow. The channel 80extends vertically and accepts a tab 81 from an above telescopingmember, whereby the tab 81 slides within the vertical portion of thechannel 80 until it reaches its uppermost extent. This uppermost extentis equal to the uppermost position the telescoping member may travelrelative to a member therebelow, whereby the ledges 32, 31 are abuttedagainst one another. When the tab 81 reaches this uppermost extent, thetab 81 is exposed to the horizontal portion of the channel 81. The usercan rotate the member such that the tab 81 is inserted into the channelhorizontal portion. Whereafter, the channel 80 supports the tab 81 andprevents the telescoping member from collapsing into the membertherebelow. In this way, a user can extend and lock the telescopingmembers in to an extended position, regardless of the number of toilettissue rolls positioned therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown perspective views of thetoilet roll storage device in its most condensed form. The device, whilecondensed, includes the lowermost housing 11 and the first telescopingmember 18, which stores subsequent telescoping members within itsinterior. The viewing windows 17 of the condensed members provide anadministrator or user to visualize the interior of the assembly to seeif there are at least two rolls in the assembly, without requiring theuser to peer into the opening of the lowermost housing 11. As shown, thetelescoping members are collapsed, whereby their sidewall ledges 32 arealigned concentrically within the first telescoping member 18, while thetop surface 16 of the uppermost telescoping member is readily graspablefor a user to expand the structure upwards. This is important whenloading the assembly with replenishment toilet tissue rolls 30. The usergrasps this surface 16 and lifts the assembly upwards, or alternativelythe lowermost roll 30 is forced upward to lift this surface 16 and makeroom within the lowermost housing 11 for a replacement roll. Whilereplacing the rolls, the structure is supported against a wall surfaceby way of the clamping element within the lowermost housing channel 29,and between the channel upstanding ridges 14 that confine the clampingelement within the channel interior.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an embodiment of the presentinvention that contemplates a slideable or otherwise removable door 50that covers the lowermost housing opening. When deployed in a restroomenvironment, airborne contaminants, moisture, and contact with foreignbodies can cause damage and compromise the replacement tissue rollswithin the assembly. To prevent the replacement rolls from becomingcompromised while being stored and to maintain their sterility prior todeployment, a door 50 is contemplated over the lowermost opening. Theexact design of the door 50 can take several forms, including thesliding door 50 as shown in FIG. 3, a hinged door, a replaceable door,or any suitable structure that covers the opening and provides arelatively continuous lowermost sidewall structure is desired.

In a preferred embodiment, a sliding door 50 is provided over theopening, which slides 53 about the outer perimeter of the lowermosthousing 11 when opening and closing over the opening thereinto. The door50 slides within a first and second sliding door channel 51 runningalong the sidewall 10 of the housing 11, wherein a door tab 52 issecured within the channel that allows the door to slide 53 about thehousing 11. To facilitate the sliding motion 53, a finger hole 54 ordoor handle is provided, whereby the user can obtain purchase over thedoor and forcibly move it along the channel. Use of the door 50 isdesigned to shroud the interior contents of the assembly, wherebyairborne contaminants and moisture is prevented from direct contact withthe toilet tissue therein. The sliding door 50 comprises an outersurface, an inner surface, and a shape capable of sliding and conformingto the lowermost housing sidewalls. The door inner surface includes thesliding door tabs 52, which are received within the sliding doorchannels to allow the sliding door to be slideable along the channelsover the lowermost housing opening. When over the lowermost housingopening, the door is in a closed position, and when slide away from theopening along said lowermost housing sidewall, the door is in an openposition.

An alternate embodiment of the door shroud includes a hinged door,wherein the door comprises an edge that is pivotably connected to thelowermost housing sidewall by way of a hinge joint. The hinge jointallows the door to be pivoted over the lowermost opening and pivotedtherefrom, alternating between a closed and position, respectively.

It is typical for both homeowners and commercial establishments to keepmultiple rolls of toilet paper available in the bathroom, whereby adispenser can readily be replenished to avoid any shortages duringbathroom use. However, many bathrooms lack storage space, and there maynot be enough room to store multiple rolls of toilet paper. One maybecome frustrated when the toilet paper runs out and there is no spareroll, and it can be embarrassing to have to call for someone forassistance, as typically the absence of toilet tissue is not realizeduntil absolutely necessary. In establishments where replacement rollsare available, it is not uncommon for the replacement rolls to becomedamaged or unusable after contact with the environment, contamination,or contact with moisture in the restroom area.

The present invention relates to a toilet tissue roll storage device andreplacement roll holder. The device is an expandable assembly thatenables a user or administrator to store replacement rolls of tissuepaper within the bathroom environment and in close proximity to adispenser, whereby a user can obtain a replacement roll when necessarywithout assistance. It is desired that a plurality of rolls can bestored vertically in the disclosed expandable assembly, while itsattachment to a support wall and an optional door over its opening maytake on several different designs, falling within the spirit of theinvention. The present invention saves space and provides a way forhomeowners to keep extra toilet paper rolls within arm's reach.

It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and describedin what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. An expandable toilet tissue roll storage device, comprising:a lowermost housing having a base surface, upstanding sidewalls, aninterior volume, and an opening through said sidewalls for accessingsaid interior volume; a wall attachment means disposed on said lowermosthousing and adapted for securement to a wall surface; a firsttelescoping member above said lowermost housing, said first telescopingmember having sidewalls forming an interior volume; at least oneextendable telescoping member extendable above said first telescopingmember, said at least one extendable telescoping member having sidewallsthat form an interior volume, and wherein said at least one extendabletelescoping member is sized to fit within said first telescoping member;an upper surface on an uppermost telescoping member; a transparentviewing window along said telescoping members for viewing eachtelescoping member interior volume; a door shroud member over saidlowermost housing opening for enclosing said interior volume thereof,wherein said door shroud member is adapted to rotate circumferentiallyaround an exterior of said lowermost housing.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein said wall attachment means further comprises an elongatedclamping member secured within a channel along an upper portion of saidlowermost housing, said clamping member having tabs fastenable to a wallsurface.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said door shroud membercomprises an outer surface, an inner surface, and a shape capable ofrotating around said lowermost housing sidewalls; said inner surfacefurther comprising a first and second sliding door tab; said lowermosthousing further comprising a first and second elongated sliding doorchannel for receiving said first and second sliding door tabs,respectively; wherein said first and second elongated sliding doorchannels extend around the circumference of said housing; said doorshroud member being slideable along said first and second sliding doorchannels over said lowermost housing opening into a closed position, andsliding along said lowermost housing sidewall into an open position. 4.The device of claim 1, wherein said first telescoping member andextendable telescoping members further comprise: a locking means forsecuring said member in an extended position; said locking meanscomprising an L-shaped channel for receiving a tab protruding from anextendable telescoping member, said channel having an elongated verticalportion and a horizontal portion at an uppermost extent thereof; saidextendable telescoping members capable of rotating such that said tabenters said channel horizontal portion.